A four-prong approach to aging gracefully

According to Health.com, medical researchers have unearthed four lifestyle choices that, together, can have incredible anti-aging effects. And, as the source reports, it's more than likely that you've heard of them before. Scientists from University College London monitored the habits of more than 5,000 middle-aged government officials in the United Kingdom.

The researchers focused on four specific behaviors – drinking, smoking, exercising and eating plenty of fruits and vegetables. Medical practitioners recommend giving up nicotine and limiting alcohol consumption for a number of different health reasons that aren't necessarily related to aging. In addition, eating a nutritious diet and engaging in regular physical activity are also great ways to keep your mind and body going strong.

However, the most interesting revelation from the study was that the combination of these health-conscious behaviors came to more than just the sum of their parts. People who adhered to all of these guidelines were reportedly much less likely to encounter chronic illnesses as well as physical and mental disabilities as the years went on.